Jesus Christ was crucified to redeem mankind from their sins and eternal doom (Galatians 1:1). By faith in Christ Jesus, we received the Holy Spirit, and not by “the works of the law”, the law of Moses (Galatians 1:2). There is no perfection through the flesh (Galatians 1:3) and law. “For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:19). We examine the relationship of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Moses law given to the Jews at Mount Sinai by the hand of an angel (Acts 7:30, 35, 38).
By faith in Christ Jesus, and not “by works of the law” (v. 5), divers’ miracles were performed. The Holy Spirit was at work by faith, revealing the great power and unmatched strength of God.
“Just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness"” (Galatians 3:6). Also, “For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness"” (cf. Romans 4:3; Genesis 15:6).
By faith in Christ and not by Mosaic law, we are adopted children of God (vs. 7, 9; 4:4-6). By faith in Jesus Christ, Gentiles (heathens) were justified. Through Moses law, there is no justification. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed"” (Galatians 3:8; Genesis 12:3). Curse belongs to all those who could not continue in everything written in the law. Inability to obey the law completely prompted God to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ into the world to redeem mankind. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them"” (Galatians 3:10).
Let it be said again, no justification by the law of Moses. “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith"” (Galatians 3:11).
Righteousness that saves is not by law, but by faith in Christ. “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain"” (Galatians 2:21). The theme of the book of Romans (Romans 1:17), Galatians (Galatians 3:11) and Hebrews (Hebrews 10:38) is: “The just shall live by faith”; and not by the law of Moses.
Christians’ liberty is by faith in Christ. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:1-6).
The Jews to whom the law was initially given could not keep the whole law. “For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:13-14). Salvation is not by circumcision, but by obedient faith in Christ Jesus. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” that is achieved through obedience faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Galatians 6:15; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
How do we get this all-important faith in Christ Jesus?
The answer to this question can be gotten from the Holy Bible. You obtain faith by:
- Reading and studying the inspired word of God. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (cf. Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15)
- Beholding the great and mighty works of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1)
- Seeing the beauty, goodness and greatness of God in the life of the followers of Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16)
Complete redemption in Christ is by faith in Him. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree")” (Galatians 3:13). Also, the full blessings promised to Abraham and to all, Jews and Gentiles, are obtained through faith in Christ Jesus. “That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).
Conclusion
Do not put yourself under the curse of the law, therefore, yield yourself in obedient faith to Jesus Christ. Are Christians then without law? Are they lawless? “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
Christians are not under the law of Moses and its rituals. They are under the law of Christ of Love. The law of Moses brings bondage, death and eternal damnation. God is God of all, Jews and Gentiles (Romans 3:29-31), through obedient faith. We drop the curtain with Romans 3:27-28: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law”.